Self-contained plasma administration pack



A ril 2, 1968 H. A. KRAKAUER ET AL 3,375,824-

SELF-CONTAINED PLASMA ADMINISTRATION PACK Filed July 8, 1965 INVENTORS. 1997445 4. 166414115? mu ATTUAAEYS' blood plasma. Tubing,

United States Patent 3,375,824 SELF-CONTAINED PLASMA ADMINISTRATION PACK Hans A. Krakauer and Harry H. Malvin, San Antonio,

Tex., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force Filed July 8, 1965, Ser. No. 470,644 2 Claims. (Cl. 128--214) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A self-contained plasma administration pack in the form of an air-tight metal container which can be opened without tools is provided. The container includes therein two plastic bags, one having liquid and the other a dry normally closed, is included to interconnect the two bags. Mechanical pressure is utilized to direct the liquid from one bag to the dry blood plasma in the other bag for mixing therein. The mixture is then directed into an administration unit for application into the veins of a patient.

The invention described herein may by manufactured and used by or for the United States Government for governmental purposes without payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a self-contained plasma administration pack for use in cases of emergency in the field. More particularly, it is an air-tight metal container which can be opened without tools and which contains two plastic bags, one of which contains a liquid and the other a dry blood plasma, together with means to mix the liquid with the dry plasma and an administration unit for inserting the mixed liquid into the veins of a patient.

Blood plasma is used in cases where whole blood could not be conveniently used. It is customary to mix the dry blood plasma with a liquid 21 short time before its use, since plasma deteriorates when mixed with liquid. The dry plasma is called lyophilized plasma which results from a process for preparing blood in powder form by whirling it under vacuum conditions in a centrifuge and packing the plasma in a dry or powdered form for mixing with a diluent at a later date.

This invention provides a convenient means for storing and using plasma in the field and comprises a metal container, as stated above, containing two plastic bags. When the can is opened and spread out 180, like an open book, two plastic bags fastened to a cloth backing are exposed with interconnection being provided by an inert plastic tube.

At one free edge of the cloth backing is a hinged metal strip with a locking device to clamp the plastic tubing. This strip contains two metal snap elements; at the opposite end of the cloth backing are the remaining mating portions of the snaps. Between the plastic bags and connected to the one containing the diluent is a C0 cylinder which may be activated by a D-ring. Appropriate tubing and fittings as well as swabs for preparing the skin also may be contained within the package which is folded and sealed in the metal canister. The packaged unit may be arranged to be opened without tools in the manner of beer cans with a pull strip.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a convenient metal container having therein the essentials for preparing and administering plasma in the field.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an I-V apparatus which will keep plasma indefinitely.

It is also an object to provide an I-V kit or pack which can be easily transported and stored for field use.

It is also an object to provide an I-V apparatus which 3,375,824 Patented Apr. 2, 1968 may be easily manufactured from conventional, readily obtainable materials that lend themselves to standard mass production manufacturing techniques.

These and other advantages, features and objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in connection with the illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the opened metal container with the two plastic bags exposed;

FIG. 2 shows the metal strip opened to and illustrates a second embodiment of clamping means; and

FIG. 3 shows the metal strip closed to provide the contents of one bag from emptying into the other with a third clamping arrangement illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the I-V administration apparatus in its open condition. The numeral 10 represents the metal container which has been unfolded and supplies a relatively rigid support which may be used as an arm-board. The basic function of the container is to provide for sealed storage of the plasma and diluent. The metal chosen for the container should be bendable at least on its center lateral axis in order to provide the open book type of foldability as shown in FIG. 1.

In order to facilitate use of the container under cornbat or air evacuation field conditions, it is contemplated that the edges of the container in its folded form would be sealed by a pull strip in a conventional manner. Since the only function of the container is to provide protection and water tightness, where this is not a factor, the container portion could be omitted.

When a container is utilized, it is contemplated that a cloth backing 19 would be attached thereto by means of fasteners in the form of metal snap elements 28. Two plastic bags 12 and 14, the first of which is a diluent bag and the second of which contains lyophilized plasma, comprise the containers for the materials to be mixed. The bags are supported by and attached to the cloth backing 19 which may be of canvas, heavy silk, etc. Glue, stitching or any conventional means may comprise the means for attachment. Also attached to the cloth backing 19 is a C0 cartridge 30. Interconnection between the plastic bags 12 and 14 is provided by a plastic tube 22 which has a loose knot formed along its length. Connection is provided to the diluent bag for administration of gas from cartridge 30 by means of appropriate tubing and valve structure 31, which would be operable by means of a conventional operator such as a D-ring 32.

A scissors-like device 18 serves as a locking or clamping device to clamp plastic tubing 22. The bag 12 is so cured to the fixed blade portion 17 of the locking device 18, and this portion also has the mating snap elements 28' for elements 28 attached to the back thereof which serve to secure the clamping device to backing 19. The movable blade 16 of the locking device 18 is hinged at 38 and also contains a latching hook 34 which is adapted to engage a post 36 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and to maintain the locking device in its clamped position. A recess or depression 20 in both of the legs of the scissors-like clamp is provided for reception of plastic tubing 22 in order to effectively shut the tubing ofi. The embodiment of FIG. 2 shows a spherical projection 21 on one of the two blades and a recess 20 on the other in order to give a better clamping arrangement. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a separate glass or metal occulsive bead 24 may be provided to be engaged by the recesses 20 to aid in the depression of the plastic tube 22 in order to provide a shut off.

As shown in FIG. 2, the blade legs 16 and 17 may be oriented relative to each other by a 90 angle. Conventional sealed outlet tubing 26 is provided from the dry plasma bag for administration of the mixed plasma to a patient; the sealed end being punctured by a recipient needle set which connects with the vein of the patient. For the purpose of this invention any conventional connection for the administration unit may be provided.

In operation the metal container 10 would be opened by a pull strip and bent out fiat as shown in FIG. 1. The connecting tube 22 at this point would be within the blade legs 16, 17 of the locking device 18. When the hook 34 is released from the post 36 the plastic tube 22 may be removed by rotating the movable leg 16 out to a 90 angle. The blade 17 which is attached to the backing cloth 19 and diluent bag 12 is used as a pivot, while the blade 16 is use-d as a lever to wind the backing and bag 12 toward the center, thereby forcing the diluent from bag 12 into the plasma container bag 14. When transport of the fluid is complete the loose knot in the plastic tubing 22 would be pulled tight in order to effectuate a stoppage or reverse flow and the diluent bag 12 would be unwound. After unwinding, the plastic tube 22 should be replaced within the clamping device 18 and the device should be latched again by means of the hook 34 and post 36. When a glass bead 24 is utilized the device would appear as in FIG. 2, whereas FIG. 3 Would represent the beading attached to a scissor leg. FIG. 1 is a representation of a shallow depression only which could efiectuate blockage.

A conventional I-V administration unit (not shown) which may be packed with the device would next be attached to the tubing 26. Snaps 28 would then be engaged with mating portion 28' on the rear of locking clamp 18 thereby making the empty diluent bag 12 adjacent to the dry plasma bag 14 now filled with liquid. A pull on D- ring 32 would permit entrance of the CO into the diluent bag which would act as a contained bladder to displace the mixed plasma and diluent in bag 14. This flow of the plasma is not dependent up gravity and may be used without a support stand at or below body level.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that the invention is capable of a variety of alternative embodiments within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A device for the storage and administration of blood plasma comprising, an elongated flexible backing, a first air-tight bag, suitable for containing diluent, secured to said backing, a second airtight bag, suitable for containing lyophilized plasma, secured to said backing, tubing means interconnecting said first and second bags, means secured to said backing for rolling said backing and said first airtight bag to force fluid from said first bag to said second bag, said last-mentioned means also forming a clamp for said tubing means, administration means connected with said second airtight bag suitable for administering mixed lyophilized plasma and diluent to a patient, controllable pressurizing means secured to said flexible backing and connected with said first airtight bag, and means for securing a pair of opposite ends of said backing together.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 including a container for surrounding said backing, said first and second bags, said tubing means, said means for rolling and forming a clamp, and said administration means, said means for securing opposite ends of said backing forming an attachment of said backing to said container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,362,025 11/1944 Price 128-214 2,663,298 12/1953 Rose 128-214 2,982,286 5/1961 Welch 128-276 3,023,750 3/1962 Baron 128-214 3,078,847 2/ 1963 Wandell et al 128-272 X DALTON L. TRULUCK, Primary Examiner. 

